Pros and cons of white cars

The good and the bad of white police cars, as provided by supporters and opponents of changing the color scheme in Laguna Beach:

PROS

•Residents have been familiar with the white-and-blue look for more than 30 years.

•Color-matching with other municipal vehicles creates a cohesive city brand.

•The color scheme is less intimidating to the public.

CONS

•White cars are inconsistent with other law-enforcement agencies in Orange County that use black-and-white cars.

•White police cars have been confused with private security vehicles and taxis.

•White cars don't provide the crime deterrent as the traditional color scheme, which is instantly recognizable as a police vehicle.

Black-and-white cars have long been a symbol of American police departments, but for more than 30 years, the Laguna Beach Police Department has been represented simply by white, with a touch of blue.

However, most police officers in a recent survey said they would prefer a change to the traditional look. Of the 44 officers in the survey, 39 said they'd opt for black and white, according to a city memo.

At last week's City Council meeting, Councilman Steve Dicterow asked that the issue be placed on a future council agenda.

Laguna Beach has used white cars for the Police Department since the 1970s to make them blend with other city vehicles. The Newport Beach and Costa Mesa police departments also had white cars until they switched to black and white in 2008 and 2004, respectively.

Newport Beach changed to eliminate confusion with security vehicles and to use the prevalent police colors in the region, said Newport Beach police spokeswoman Kathy Lowe.

Now, Laguna Beach's white cars with blue lettering and trim are a decided minority. All the city's neighbors use black-and-white police cars except Irvine, according to the memo.

"We historically have had more of the blue and white. It matches our other city vehicles," City Manager John Pietig said at the council meeting. "It helps identify the Police Department as part of the city team."

Dicterow, however, said, "The fact that it's consistent with the other vehicles in town is a problem to me, not a benefit."

COLOR CONFUSION?

In a memo to Pietig, Police Chief Paul Workman pointed out the department's problems with white vehicles. The primary concern is the similarity to private security vehicles and taxis. Photos show security vehicles with similar colors, markings, light bars, spotlights and push bars on the front bumpers.

Workman provided examples in which the white color scheme has caused confusion:

Officers intended to hail a passing police officer and instead flagged down a security vehicle.

People mistake police cars for taxis and hail them on the street.

Outside agencies don't recognize the police cars, and during a pursuit, a helicopter crew flying overhead thought a police car was a security vehicle.

A black-and-white Laguna Beach police car from 1946 shown in a framed photo at the Police Department. COURTESY OF LAGUNA BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT
Laguna Beach Police Chief Paul Workman said that people sometimes mistake private security vehicles, such as the one in the foreground, with city police cars, such as the one in the background. COURTESY OF LAGUNA BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT
“I'd rather they stay white. (If they were black-and-white), they'd look too much like the Highway Patrol. … They're supposed to be more friendly-looking here,” said Bill Lawson, a 40-year resident. JOSH FRANCIS, FOR THE REGISTER
“White is kind of pretty. I mean, you can still notice them,” said Dina Kagawa, a 10-month resident. JOSH FRANCIS, FOR THE REGISTER
“With everything as crazy as it is with the economy, they have to be fiscally prudent with decisions like this,” said Melinda Masson, a 30-year resident. JOSH FRANCIS, FOR THE REGISTER
“I think they're easier to spot when they're white instead of black and white ... especially at night,” said Robert Kime, a three-year resident. JOSH FRANCIS, FOR THE REGISTER
Photos of Laguna Beach police vehicles through the years are posted in an upstairs hallway at the Police Department. JOANNA CLAY, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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